Cristina Stefanile

Development and validation of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4).

The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) and its earlier versions are measures designed to assess societal and interpersonal aspects of appearance ideals. Correlational, structural equation modeling, and prospective studies of the SATAQ-3 have shown consistent and significant associations with measures of body image disturbance and eating pathology. In the current investigation, the SATAQ-3 was revised to improve upon some conceptual limitations and was evaluated in 4 U.S. and 3 international female samples, as well as a U.S. male sample. In Study 1, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses for a sample of women from the Southeastern United States (N = 859) indicated a 22-item scale with 5 factors: Internalization: Thin/Low Body Fat, Internalization: Muscular/Athletic, Pressures: Family, Pressures: Media, Pressures: Peers. This scale structure was confirmed in 3 independent and geographically diverse samples of women from the United States (East Coast N = 440, West Coast N = 304, and North/Midwest N = 349). SATAQ-4 scale scores demonstrated excellent reliability and good convergent validity with measures of body image, eating disturbance, and self-esteem. Study 2 replicated the factorial validity, reliability, and convergent validity of the SATAQ-4 in an international sample of women drawn from Italy, England, and Australia (N = 362). Study 3 examined a sample of college males from the United States (N = 271); the 5-factor solution was largely replicated, yet there was some evidence of an underlying structure unique to men. Future research avenues include additional item testing and modification of the scale for men, as well as adaptation of the measure for children and adolescents.

Validation of an Italian version of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) on adolescent girls

The present study used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to investigate the factor structure of an Italian version of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) with a sample of 598 adolescent girls. Results of EFA indicated a four-factor structure: Information, Pressures, Internalization-General, and Internalization-Athlete. Factor loadings confirmed the original structure of the scale, except for one item. As expected, the four factors appeared to be slightly correlated. Cronbachs alphas for the four subscales were uniformly high: Information=.91, Pressures=.91, Internalization-General=.94, Internalization-Athlete=.84. Convergent validity of this Italian version of the SATAQ-3 was found to be good. SATAQ-3 seems useful to measure different aspects of societal influences on body image in Italian contexts. Future studies could subject SATAQ-3 to a confirmatory factor analysis in order to confirm the adequate fit of the model according to conventional criteria.

Renal adaptation to stress: A possible role of endothelin release and prostaglandin modulation in the human subject

The aim of this study was to define the neurohumoral response associated with the renal hemodynamic perturbations induced by mental stress acting as an adrenergic stimulus. In 8 healthy women, the effects of mental stress were studied during four consecutive 30-minute periods (baseline, mental stress, recovery I, recovery II). Mental stress induced sympathetic activation as evidenced by increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma norepinephrine level. Effective renal plasma flow (iodine 131-labeled hippurate clearance) decreased only during mental stress (-22%, p < 0.05 vs baseline); glomerular filtration rate (iodine 125-labeled iotalamate clearance) remained constant during the entire experiment; the filtration fraction increased significantly during mental stress and recovery I (+30% and +22%, respectively, p < 0.02 for both). Complex neuroendocrine responses were associated with the hemodynamic changes. Urinary excretion of endothelin-1 and 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) increased during mental stress (+53%, p < 0.01, and +20%, p < 0.01, respectively) and recovery I (+49% and +29%, respectively, p < 0.01 for both). Urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate rose only during mental stress (+77%, p < 0.05), whereas excretion of PGE2 showed a stepwise increase throughout recovery I and II (+292%, p < 0.01, and +360%, p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, the present experiments demonstrate that renal hemodynamic response induced by mental stress is a complex reaction in which endothelin-1, prostaglandins, and presumably nitric oxide take part.

Stili umoristici e possibili relazioni con il benessere psicologico secondo una versione italiana dello Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ)

Sono state esaminate, nel contesto italiano, la struttura fattoriale e alcune caratteristiche psicometriche dello HSQ di Martin et al. (2003), nonche le differenze di genere nei diversi stili umoristici e le loro relazioni con il benessere psicologico. Hanno partecipato 242 studenti di scuola media secondaria e di universita. Sono state impiegate le versioni italiane dello HSQ e delle Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales (RPWB). Partendo da correlazioni policoriche, e stata effettuata un’analisi fattoriale esplorativa utilizzando il metodo Maximum Likelihood (ML) per l’estrazione dei fattori e il Promax per la loro rotazione obliqua. Analisi discriminanti e di regressione lineare multiple sono state condotte per esaminare le relazioni tra le variabili. Sono stati individuati i quattro fattori ipotizzati, anche se non tutti gli item risultano adeguatamente rappresentati; l’affidabilita delle scale, fatta eccezione per una, e adeguata. I partecipanti maschili riferiscono un maggiore uso dello stile Aggressive. Sono emerse relazioni positive tra gli stili Affiliative e Self-Enhancing e negative tra Aggressive e Self-Defeating e il benessere psicologico. Ulteriori indagini sono richieste per approfondire la natura multifattoriale dello HSQ e le relazioni tra stili di umorismo e benessere psicologico.

Predittori dell’interesse per la chirurgia estetica. Influenze socioculturali e insoddisfazione corporea

Lo scopo della presente ricerca e individuare i fattori psicosociali che influenzano l’interesse a sottoporsi ad interventi di chirurgia estetica in generale e mirati a modificare specifiche parti del proprio corpo in giovani donne. Alle partecipanti (N = 203; eta media = 26.70, DS = 3.63) e stato somministrato un questionario volto a rilevare le attribuzioni da parte dei pari circa l’importanza dell’aspetto fisico per la popolarita, le pressioni dei media, l’interiorizzazione degli ideali di bellezza, il livello d’insoddisfazione corporea, l’interesse a sottoporsi a chirurgia estetica in generale, a chirurgia estetica volta a modificare il seno e a chirurgia estetica per la riduzione del grasso corporeo. I risultati mettono in luce che l’effetto delle pressioni e delle attribuzioni da parte dei pari sull’interesse a sottoporsi a interventi di chirurgia estetica in generale o volti alla modifica del seno e mediato dall’interiorizzazione degli ideali promossi dai media. Per quanto riguarda gli interventi volti a ridurre il grasso corporeo, l’insoddisfazione corporea, e non l’interiorizzazione, risulta mediare la relazione tra influenze sociali e interesse per questo tipo di procedure. Le attribuzioni da parte dei pari risultano avere anche un effetto diretto sul desiderio di ricorrere a interventi volti a ridurre il grasso corporeo. Lo studio fornisce un importante contributo per comprendere il crescente interesse verso la chirurgia estetica da parte della popolazione femminile. I risultati possono avere rilevanti implicazioni per la progettazione di interventi di prevenzione e di promozione della salute.

Insoddisfazione corporea in adolescenza : influenze di fattori bio-psico-sociali

Body dissatisfaction in adolescence: influences of biopsychosocial factors - Body dissatisfaction is a central aspect for self-evaluation; pressures to maintain an ideal physique can result in disordered eating habits. In young women, body concern and anxiety related to some parts of it can be expressed through their desire to lose weight. The aim of the study is to analyze the role of some risk factors, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), low self-esteem and sociocultural influences in affecting body dissatisfaction, expressed in terms of distance from an ideal and body concern. Participants are 187 adolescent females aged between 14 and 16. Risk factors taken into consideration seem to have a different effect on the two aspects characterizing dissatisfaction. BMI, self-esteem and internalization of a thin ideal seem to influence the distance perceived from an ideal body; pressure, besides BMI and self-esteem, affect weight and body shape concern. Body shape concern seems to be influenced even by internalization and awareness. It can be observed that such risk factors, in particular BMI, play a different role in adolescents classified as normal weight and underweight. Parole chiave: immagine corporea, insoddisfazione corporea, adolescenti femmine, influenze socioculturali, autostima, indice di massa corporea Key words: body image, body dissatisfaction, adolescent girls, sociocultural influences, selfesteem, body mass index

Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-14): an Italian version.

Background: This study aims to examine the combined role of work and domestic burden on women’s and men’s perceived well-being. Methods: Observations result from two large Belgian cohorts [SOMSTRESS (1999-2002) and BELSTRESS III (2004-2008)] comprising 4810 workers in 9 firms, aged between 28 and 66. Three logistic regressions were performed using respectively (1) anxiety (SLC-90), (2) chronic fatigue (Vercoulen), and (3) subjective health evaluation as dependent variables. Sex, occupational stress (“iso-strain”, Karasek), and home-work interference (Kelloway) were entered as independent variables. Adjustments were made for age, education, occupation, social support outside work, child(ren) responsibilities, and marital status. Findings: High iso-strain, high home-work interference and their interaction are predictive of anxiety and chronic fatigue, especially in women. Bad health evaluation is linked to high iso-strain and high home-work interference but no sex effect was found. Discussion: findings will be discussed within the frame of the gender roles perspective.Background: The main objective of this study was to investigate if associations between psychosocial risks at work and absenteeism were consistent within our 4 Belgian databases. Methods: Belstress I, II, III and Somstress consisted globally of 36 enterprises and 28.198 workers. A cross-sectional survey with at least 1 year prospective follow-up to register objective absenteeism data was performed on men and women working in different sectors (public/private, profit/non-profit). Analyses were conducted by using « review manager » software resulting in Odds Ratios with global effect and a heterogeneity test. Socio-demographic variables, psychosocial risks (JDC-S and ERI model) as well as bullying were considered. Findings: Low job control and low social support at work showed, particularly in the private sector, a significant global and a non-significant heterogeneity effect in relation to high sick leave. Discussion: Findings will be discussed at the light of possible worksite wellbeing interventions.Poster and oral presentations (In alphabetical order by first author) Are worksite interventions effective in increasing physical activity? A meta-analytic review Abraham C.,* & Graham-Rowe E.; *University of Sussex, UK Worksite interventions (WI) have the potential to reach a broad and captive audience but there is debate about their effectiveness. A systematic review and hypotheses-driven, randomeffects, meta analysis assessed the effectiveness of (WI) to enhance physical activity (PA) over a ten year period. From 4,390 hits, 55 interventions could be included. WIs have small, positive effects on PA and this effect is smaller when fitness, as opposed to self-report, outcomes measures are reported (ds1⁄4 .15 versus .21). WIs targeting PA specifically as opposed to general lifestyle change were more effective whether evaluated in terms of increased fitness (.29 vs. .08) or increased self-reported PA (.25 vs. .14). Those promoting walking as opposed to other forms of PA were also more effective (.54 vs. .14). Given the potential public health economic benefits, walking or step counting WIs should be supported. Integrating social structure and social cognition measures in explaining adolescent condom use Abraham C.,* Sheeran P., & Henderson M.; *University of Sussex, UK This study assessed relationships between indices of social structure, including family socioeconomic status (SES), social deprivation, gender, and educational and lifestyle aspirations, behaviour-specific cognitions and adolescent condom use. Analyses of cross sectional survey data provided by 824 sexually active sixteen year olds (505 women and 319 men) reveled that (1) social structure measures correlated with behaviour-specific cognitions found to predict condom use (2) cognition measures did not fully mediate the association of social structure indices with condom use and (3) the association of cognitions with condom use was moderated by social structure measures and aspirations. Overall, including significant moderation effects, social structure measures increased the variance explained in condom use from 20.5% (for cognition measures alone) to 31%. Thus macro-level variables such as SES and gender, should to be considered in addition to cognitions when modelling antecedents of health behaviours such as condom use. Health-related quality of life in stroke patients one year later Accorsi A.,* Biagetti L., Procaccianti G., Magni E., Alberici S., & Nicoli M.A.; *Local Health Authority of Bologna, Italy ISSN 0887–0446 print/ISSN 1476–8321 online 2009 Taylor & Francis DOI: 10.1080/08870440903126421 http://www.informaworld.com In chronic disease area, the traditional outcome measures themselves are not sufficient to evaluate the quality of health interventions. The aim of this study is to measure quality of life (QoL) as perceived by patients one year after discharge from stroke unit. Patients (n1⁄4 81) were interviewed by telephone and assessed for disability (modified Barthel index), QoL (EQ-5D), perceived social support, coping skills. In order to detect which investigated variables influence QoL, descriptive and inferential analysis were performed. Coping skills variables were summarized by Factorial Analysis in two factors: (1) concerning attitude; (2) optimistic attitude. Problems were mostly recorded in mobility and in the usual activities dimension. People who need help and suffer from pain/ discomfort and anxiety/depression are more likely to be worried. An optimistic feeling depends on the usual activities and the anxiety/depression state. Coping skills variables helped to deepen further what was obtained with EQ-5D instrument. A combined behavioral-pharmacotherapy treatment program for nicotine addiction within Department of Veteran’s Affairs-Atlanta Ackerman M.,* Drexler K., & Wright M.; *Department of Veteran’s Affairs Atlanta Medical Center, USA Tobacco use is the most preventable behavioral cause of chronic disease and morbidity worldwide. Although U.S. smoking prevalence has declined to 22.1% the percentage of veterans who smoke is significantly higher, making smoking cessation treatment a priority within VA. This has led to our integrated approach combining cutting edge behavioral modalities with the most recent pharmacotherapies, including the newest, Chantix (Varenicline). Our study evaluates treatment efficacy. Participants (n1⁄4 432) were veterans treated over 36 months. Final sample of 128 (96% male, M1⁄4 53 years) reported their smoking status in response to a set of standardized questions during follow-up telephone interviews. Correlation coefficients and analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results showed abstinence of 69.5% reflecting either quit (28.9%) or smoking less (40.6%) rates and an additional finding that more frequent group therapy attendance significantly correlated (p1⁄4 .02) with higher cessation rates. Key health psychology treatment modalities including cognitive change, target dates, trigger awareness, and relapse prevention are highlighted. Online erotic chatting with potential sex partners: Does virtual fantasizing promote real-life risk? Adam P.,* & de Wit J.; *University of New South Wales, Australia To explain continuing sexual risk-taking in gay men we addressed the impact of online erotic chatting on real-life sexual behaviours. An online survey among 2,572 gay men in France assessed intention to use condoms; responsiveness to chat partners’ fantasizing about unprotected sex; and actual sexual risk behaviours. While intention to use condoms was high (M1⁄4 4.60), acceptance of fantasizing about unprotected sex was also evident (M1⁄4 2.54). 32.1% of respondents reported engaging in unprotected sex and this was negatively associated with intention to use condoms. Accepting online fantasizing about unprotected sex contributed to risk-taking over and above intention (ORa1⁄4 1.45, p5 .000). Most gay men do not intentionally go online to find a partner for unprotected sex. However, risk-taking is prevalent and promoted by accepting to engage in online fantasizing about unprotected sex. Innovative interventions are needed to support the self-regulation of online chatting to prevent risk in real life. 72 AbstractsBackground. Falls in older people decrease quality of life and increase mortality. There is littleresearch on perceptions of the cause of a fall and their influence on health outcomes. Method.A sur ...The purpose of this study was to examine what resource and coping variables that could predict emotional well being during the acute phase of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. All newly acquired i ...Other psychological/behavioral factors in addition to fear and traditional measures of psychopathology should possibly be considered in the assessment and treatment of dental fear. The present stud ...Hazardous alcohol use in adolescents has become a common problem. This study focuses on private peer group drinking settings as a contextual determinant of adolescent binge-drinking. In a cross-sectional survey a representative sample of 1516 15-year old students of all secondary schools in a semi-rural region in the Netherlands (Twente) participated. Adolescents visiting a private peer group setting have, compared to non-visitors, considerably higher average weekly alcohol consumption (15.2 vs. 7.4 glasses; p5.001), more frequent heavy drinking (p5.001) and drunkenness (p5.05). Differences remain highly significant after controlling for age and education level. Additional multivariate analyses reveal that the setting remains an independent predictor next to proximal determinants like attitude, social norms, and self-efficacy. Adolescents visiting private settings to meet friends and drink alcohol are at increased risk of hazardous alcohol consumption. Apparently, these non-licensed drinking locations increase accessibility and availability of alcohol for under-aged adolescents.

What messages can foster safer sex among young women? Experimental evidence concerning the role of emotions and moral norms

Abstract Through a 2 × 2 × 2 quasi experimental design (N = 254), this research investigated if a social campaign eliciting positive emotions and activating moral norms might enhance condom negotiation skills, intended and estimated condom among young women with or without past sexual experience with casual partners. Emotions had a main effect on one of the six condom negotiation strategies we considered; for most of the other variables an interaction effect with moral norms and/or past behaviour emerged. Concerning estimated condom use, positive emotions worked better than negative ones when moral norms were salient. With respect to negotiations skills, positive rather than negative emotions seemed more effective for women with past causal sexual experience. In women without this kind of experience, positive emotions seemed to work better when moral norms were salient. Moral norms had a main effect on negotiation self-efficacy, but not in the predicted direction: when moral norms were more salient women were found to be less confident about their negotiation ability. These results suggest that a message which makes moral norms salient should at the same time elicit positive emotions in order to be effective; moreover, messages should be carefully tailored according to women’s past behaviour.

Tu come mi vedi? Commenti del partner circa l’aspetto fisico, immagine corporea e soddisfazione di coppia: uno studio empirico

La presente ricerca si propone di indagare la relazione tra commenti positivi e negativi sull’aspetto fisico in generale e sul peso corporeo ricevuti dal proprio partner, la soddisfazione di coppia e l’insoddisfazione corporea individuale. A 82 coppie eterosessuali e stato somministrato un questionario volto a misurare le variabili oggetto di studio. Le ipotesi della ricerca sono state testate attraverso una serie di path analysis basate sull’Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, in modo da cogliere le influenze reciproche tra partner. In entrambi i partner, ricevere commenti positivi sul peso sembra diminuire l’insoddisfazione corporea. I commenti negativi su peso e forma corporea ricevuti dalle donne si associano all’insoddisfazione corporea del partner maschile. Per quanto riguarda la soddisfazione di coppia, i commenti sull’aspetto generale ricevuti da ciascun partner si associano a soddisfazione diadica, percezione di comprensione e stima e comunicazione relazionale di colui che li riceve. Nel caso della self-disclosure tale effetto si osserva solo per le donne; per gli uomini i commenti generali positivi ricevuti si associno ad una maggiore self-disclosure delle donne. Da un punto di vista applicativo i risultati suggeriscono come interventi volti a migliorare la soddisfazione di coppia possano essere diretti a migliorare la comunicazione tra partner anche con riferimento all’aspetto fisico. Inoltre, interventi che mirano a ridurre l’insoddisfazione corporea in entrambi i generi dovrebbero considerare il ruolo del partner come fonte significativa di influenza.

Comparing internalization of appearance ideals and appearance-related pressures among women from the United States, Italy, England, and Australia

Researchers have observed variation in levels of body image disturbance and eating pathology among women from different Western countries. Examination of cross-cultural differences in the established risk factors (i.e., thin-ideal internalization, muscular-ideal internalization, and appearance pressures from family, peers, and media) for negative outcomes may help to elucidate the prominence of specific risk factors within a given Western society and guide associated interventions. Women from the United States (US), Italy, England, and Australia completed the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4). Analysis of covariance controlling for age and BMI indicated significant cross-country differences for all SATAQ-4 subscales. Results typically indicated higher levels of appearance-ideal internalization and appearance pressures in the US and lower levels in Italy; however, associated effect sizes were generally small. A medium effect of country was observed for peer-appearance pressures, which were highest in the US compared with all other countries. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and paired samples t tests conducted within each country identified thin-ideal internalization and media appearance pressures as the predominant risk factors for all four countries. Overall, findings suggest more cross-country similarities than differences, and highlight the importance of delivering interventions to address thin-ideal internalization and media appearance pressures among women from Western backgrounds.Level of evidence Descriptive study, Level V.